Download Barcelona`s Best Spring Getaways | Travel + Leisure

The Best Spring
Getaways Near
Barcelona
by Isabelle Kliger
March 14, 2016







Courtesy Calma Blanca
What city is more
ideally situated than
Barcelona, nestled
between the
Pyrenees and the
Mediterranean, with
the ruggedly
beautiful Costa
Brava to the north
and the golden
sandy beaches of
the Costa Dorada to
the south? Here are
our picks for the
best weekend

getaways from the
city this season.
1. Tarragona
The charming town of
Tarragona, situated just over an
hour from Barcelona, is known
for its Roman ruins and
beautifully preserved Old Town,
but the main draw is the
surrounding coastline, which is
dotted with sandy beaches and
coves with sparkling waters. The
name La Costa Daurada
translates as Golden Coast,
referring to the fine, golden
sand for which the area is
famous. Check out the familyfriendly beaches at Altafulla or
Calafell, or enjoy some privacy at
the Cala Fonda naturist cove
(better known to locals as
Waikiki).
Where to stay: The exclusive
five-star Le Meridien Ra Beach
Hotel & Spa enjoys an
unbeatable beachfront location
overlooking the Mediterranean.
Within easy striking distance of
Tarragona, Barcelona, the Port
Aventura amusement park, and
the Penedès and Priorat wine
regions, Le Meridien Ra has
something for everyone. For
those who prefer to stay closer to
home, it also offers a bilingual
kids' club, lively beach club, and
lavish spa. Rooms from $270.
Where to eat: If Catalan-ItalianAsian fusion sounds like your
cup of tea, look no further than
AQ. House specials in this lively,
laid-back eatery include squid
carbonara, and shrimp soup
with curry and coconut.
2. Baix Empord
Empordà
If there's one area of Catalonia
that has everything it's the Baix
Empordà. With its charming
fishing villages, stunning coves
and beaches, medieval towns
and world-class gastronomy,
you really can't go wrong. Mustvisits include the fishing villages
of Calella de Palafrugell,
Tamariu, Aiguablava, and Sa
Riera, the spectacular medieval
towns of Pals and Peratallada, as
well as Girona, the region's
capital that is most famous for
its gastronomy.
Where to stay: Treat yourself to
a luxurious weekend at Mas de
Torrent. Set in a converted 18thcentury farmhouse, this upscale
hotel and spa does everything to
make its guests feel pampered.
The hotel partners with Own
Experiences, inviting guests to
enjoy once-in-a-lifetime
excursions ranging from
helicopter rides over the Baix
Empordà to an intimate seafood
lunch cooked on board a private
yacht. Rooms from $330.
Where to eat: When you're this
close to the world's best
restaurant, El Celler de Can
Roca, you'd be crazy not to at
least try to get a reservation. For
something different, Bo.Tic is a
lesser-known but Michelinstarred eatery serving creative
cuisine on its fabulous patio. At
$85 per person, the 16-course
tasting menu is a steal.
3. Alt Empord
Empordà
With its ideal weather
conditions and beautiful
countryside, the Costa Brava is
one of the most idyllic spots for
golfing in Spain. Peralada Golf
Club is home to a magnificent
championship course and fivestar hotel and spa just outside
the village of Peralada, only a
few miles from Dalí's hometown
of Figueres, the French border,
and the stunning beaches of the
Costa Brava. In addition to
golfing, major draws in the area
include Peralada Castle, the Dalí
museum in Figueres, local
wineries and the seaside towns
of Roses and Cadaqués.
Where to stay: Hotel Peralada
Wine Spa & Golf is a five-star
hotel located right on the driving
range. When they're not
perfecting their swing, guests
like to relax on the hot rock beds
in the Wine Spa (where the
cosmetics are all made from
antioxidant grape extracts).
Rooms from $175/night.
Where to eat: Apart from the
hotel's excellent Aires
restaurant, Peralada is also
home to several charming spots.
The best is Cal Sagristà, which
serves delicious, affordable local
cuisine food, ranging from tapas
of Iberian ham and anchovies to
more elaborate dishes of duck
confit and pulled pork (Cal
Sagristà, ​C/ Rodona, 2, 17491,
Peralada).
4. Pened
Penedèss
The Penedès wine country is one
of the most interesting wine
regions in Spain. Famed
primarily for its white wine and
cava, the region's famous
wineries include Torres,
Codorniu, and Pinord. We
suggest taking the Carretera del
Vi (wine road), which winds
through the Catalan
countryside, past medieval
castles and villages, linking 12 of
the top Penedès vineyards to the
beaches of Garraf.
Where to stay: In addition to the
five-star Hotel Mastinell, which
also houses an excellent winery
of its own, the region is full of
authentic Catalan masias (or
country houses), such as the
charming Comarquinal
Bioresort. Set in a 16th century
farmhouse surrounded by
vineyards, its individually
designed rooms combine
modern design with authentic
rural details. Rooms from $100.
Where to eat: Family-run Cal
Ton in Vilafranca del Penedès
serves local specialties,
including cuttlefish with
meatballs and fresh seared foie
served over mushroom risotto,
in its dining room and pleasant
garden terrace.
5. Cadaqu
Cadaquéss
Of all the Costa Brava's
delightful seaside towns, none is
more enchanting than
Cadaqués. Isolated from the rest
of the Alt Empordà by the Pení
mountain, visitors have to brave
several miles of serpentine
roads, before descending into
the town. Once in Cadaqués,
discover the winding cobbled
streets of the Old Town, which
has gathered an array of artists
and intellectuals over the years,
from Salvador Dali to Pablo
Picasso and Federico Garcia
Lorca.
Where to stay: The charming
four-star Calma Blanca boutique
hotel has only seven rooms.
Located at one of the highest
points of Cadaqués, it is an oasis
of peace and tranquility, with its
heated pool and spa, and
relaxing terrace overlooking the
sea. Rooms from $400.
Where to eat: Visitors to
Cadaqués are spoiled for choice
when it comes to food, but the
cream of the crop is undoubtedly
Compartir. Run by three ex-head
chefs of former best restaurant
in the world, El Bulli, who also
own the outstanding Michelinstarred Disfrutar in Barcelona,
Compartir focuses less on
elaborate molecular cuisine and
more on deliciously
mouthwatering Catalan dishes
(anchovies with truffle sauce,
razor clams). Don't miss the red
tuna cannelloni and lobster with
chicken sauce.